Day 260, September 17 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ezra 4:7-23; Psalm 106; Ezra 7:1- 8:14
Overruled!
Sometimes neighbors or relatives make trouble for us. Boundary disputes can be a source of contention between neighbors. Other times people are hauled into Small Claims Court over frivolous family matters. Wouldn’t it be nice for the judge to say to the plaintiff (your accuser), “Your complaints or lawsuits against the defendant [you] are overruled!”? What does that mean? It means a higher authority (the judge in this case) has decided to annul or reverse the claim or judgment of the plaintiff against the defendant. This what God did for Israel, and that is what God sometimes does for us.
Trouble from the neighbors
Cyrus, king of Persia, allowed any willing Israelites to return to their land. The foreigners who occupied the land of Israel were to provide the Jews with the funding they needed for rebuilding their temple, and animals for sacrifices to their God. The occupants of the land and their neighbors, however, didn’t want the Jews around them. Because of this, they gave the returnees a lot of grief.
Second, a personal letter was sent to King Darius, just after he took the throne. The leaders of the Trans-Euphrates (an area including Judea and Samaria) questioned the legality of the rebuilding project. Darius searched the archives. To their humiliation, he not only found the proclamation written by King Cyrus but supported it. Israel’s neighbors were told to supply them whatever they needed and then leave them alone so the work wouldn’t be hindered.
Third, soon after King Xerxes obtained the throne, the troublesome neighbors launched another accusation against the Jews (Ezra 4:6). We have no record that any action was taken at that time. However, later, under the persuasion of Haman, his chief nobleman, the king was convinced that the Jews were a menace. He, therefore, gave authority to Haman to order their genocide.
God, however, was silently at work, providentially protecting his people. Through Esther and Mordecai, the tables were turned back upon Haman and all Jewish enemies.
Twenty-one- years later, the leaders of the Trans-Euphrates try again to hamper the Jewish settlement. The new king of Persia, Artaxerxes, is informed that the Jews, having completed their temple, are now rebuilding their city. If the Jews establish a foothold in the Trans-Euphrates region, they might become a forceful nation, and the king will lose tax revenue. Once again, the work is stopped.
Response to trouble
What is Israel’s response to their opposition? They get discouraged and fall away from the LORD. Psalm 106 may have been composed at this time—the theme concerns the Israelites falling away in their relationship to God.
When opposition and trouble come our way while we are obeying the LORD, we need to be careful to encourage ourselves in him and not fall away. We need to cling to the LORD and his strength.
God is, however, still working on Israel’s behalf. The LORD begins to over-rule the will of Israel’s neighbors and King Artaxerxes. He uses Ezra, a priest and teacher of the law of God, to do it.
God makes a change with a positive testimony.
Artaxerxes is so impressed with Ezra’s teaching and that God is with him that the king allows Ezra to return to Jerusalem. He even permits willing Jews to leave Babylon to return with him. Eighteen heads of families, 1,496 other Israelite men, 220 Temple servants, and thirty-eight Levitical priests return with Ezra. Ezra is also accompanied by seven of the king’s advisors to go to Jerusalem to worship at the temple and learn God’s laws. Also, women and children likely attended the men, making the total possibly 4,000-5,000.
Ezra’s official assignment is to appoint civil officers and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates and teach them to live by God’s law. This adds insult to injury for the leaders of the surrounding nations of Israel. Not only are they to help the Jews with the supplies they need for worship, but now they will also have to endure the sight of more Jews, be taught God’s law, and live by it or suffer dire consequences. God is overruling their harassment of the Jews! Later, under the prophet Nehemiah’s leadership, the walls around Jerusalem will also be rebuilt.
Ezra praises God because he put it in the king’s heart to honor the house of God in Jerusalem and to show him favoritism. King Artaxerxes highly respects Ezra. Under his leadership, Artaxerxes does not think there will be a rebellion.
What is our character like? Is it above reproach, just and fair? Is it consistent? Would the ungodly trust us? Can they observe that God is with us?
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 667.
Discussion
What is a common response to trouble? What should our response be?
How can a positive testimony have an impact on an unbeliever and help the cause of Christ? What might that testimony look like?
Focus Verses
Psalm 106:1-4 (NIV)
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise?
Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.
Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them.
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Looking Ahead: What does Godly Leadership look like and how can we have it? Join us for our Next Lesson as we look at Ezra's example.
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